The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-09-03
TIE GRApEp ScHooL.

THE GRADED SCHOOL.
We publish a communication urging
the School Committee 70 establish the
school contemplated by Ike recent vote
of Asheville as early as practicable-at
once. If our correspondent is correct in
saying there are four thousand children
in Asheville waiting to attend this school
when opened, we can well appreciate the
anxious embarrassment Of che Commit
tee concerning the 5sleett5p, D. 4 suitable
schoolnouse before they can have time
to build one. Whether there are four
thousand or not, there are certainly q
large number who need and ought to
have educe tional facilities at the earliest
moment. Thc''tent" suggestion is non
sense, however, and could not have been
made seriously. 1t will require a good
size building to accommodate the schOl-
ars who ought - attend. and who we
think will attend this school; but where
is the house? The city does not own
one, and if it had the lot already selected
such house as is nece ssary, or money
be spent on to build it, could not be cree
ted in a day or month. Several prop
critics have been offered, with buildings
suitable for residence purposes, bat not
for school purposes to accommodate sew
eral hundred much less four thousand
pupils. Prices asked for these of course
include the value placed upon the
buildings, which are comparatively use
less. In other words, in buying them
the committee would pay thousands
of dollars for what they do not
want, and have all the thousands
still to spend to have erected suitable
buildings, OF sufficient comfort and con
veniences. The people of Asheville, as
shown by their vote, are anxious for the
establishment of good school as soon as
possible, but they do not want money
wasted in hasty and in udicious action
Were uncomfortable hOuses-and there
are none of any sort idle in Asheville-
selected by the committee to hasten the
opening of school the first to complain
would be those who now complain of
what they think the tarliness of the
committee. The committee must frsS
ascertain how much money it will have,
all told; how many children there are to
be accommodated, which will Gecit G the
size and capacity of the house, and the
nun Der of teachers required. If after
ascertaining these necessary facts a house
can be rented which could be at all used
we have no doubt the committee will act
promptly and gladly. Another point
about renting house. Could one be had
it would have to be largely altered. Is
there an owner Of a house in Ashevi.le
suitable as to size, who would rent
such building toGp2rfrl Sraa4 have it,
altered as would be requiISd? What use
would he OF they have for such house
after the school should supply itself by
having its own bHiiding? Would not
rent enough be charged t. cover the cost
and price of the building? Such N 4tters
as these confront the committee aud if!
it has decided upon building at cnce, it is
because of these matters, Lhus limited
means, and the economy and permaneacy
to result from such action.
We hope the committee will hasten
matters, but We DO not wish them to go
headlong into any movement Which,
though it may have the appearance of
the desired purpose,
would really prove detrimental, and
Give us good schools, but be
sure you start right, and when started
tt e result will be permanent and salts
factory. This is Our advice to the COM
mitter, and to our c tiz4ns who are vitally
interC, ted in this matter, those who will |
patrOniZc the school when established |